Events and festivals

VENTURA COUNTY

Operation Ride for the Red: Red Cross of Ventura County presents its 3rd annual Operation Ride for the Red cycling event supporting the United States Armed Forces. The community is invited to donate, volunteer, cheer or ride one of three routes. The Century will begin at 6:30 a.m., the Metric Century will begin at 9 a.m. and the Half Metric Century will begin at 10 a.m. May 19, Red Cross of Ventura County Chapter Office, 836 Calle Plano, Camarillo. For more information, visit bit.ly/2KoEn8e.

Surf 'n' Suds Beer Festival: The 4th annual Ventura Surf 'n’ Suds Beer Festival will feature beverages from more than 65 craft breweries, ciders and wineries, food trucks, games and live entertainment by After the Smoke, Crosscut Band 805 and DJ Hecktik. Proceeds benefit the Young and Brave Foundation, a Ventura County-based organization dedicated to helping today’s youth beat cancer. 12:30-5 p.m. May 19, San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro St., Ventura. $50 general admission, $65 VIP. For tickets and information, visit surfbeerfest.com.

Tootles & Noodles: The Adolfo Camarillo High School Music Boosters present the 13th annual Tootles & Noodles Silent and Live Auction and Dinner benefiting music programs at ACHS. 4-7 p.m. May 19, 4660 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo. $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 students and children 10 and under. For tickets and information, visit achsmusic.com/tootles-noodles.

Free Family Star Party: Ventura County Astronomical Society presents its first Free Family Star Party of the year, where visitors can view the summer sky through some of the most powerful telescopes in the county. 8:30-10:30 p.m. May 19, Moorpark College Observatory, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. For more information, visit vcas.org.

Ojai Playwrights Conference Gala Benefit: The Ojai Playwrights Conference will launch its 21st season with a Gala Benefit that will include a show featuring dramatic scenes and songs performed by guest artists, a cocktail and appetizer hour and a farm-to-table dinner showcasing local ingredients and chefs. Honorees include Perla Batalla, Jane Deknatel and Charlayne Woodard. 4 p.m. May 19, Aspen Grove Ranch, 7887 Ojai Road, Ojai. $250. For tickets and information, visit www.ojaiplays.org.

Chalk Festival: The community is invited to watch as chalk artists transform the street into a canvas. The festival will also feature live entertainment, a kids art section, goods for sale by local vendors and more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 19-20, Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley. Free. For information, visit simivalleychalkfest.com.

Living History Day: Pleasant Valley Historical Society will give kids the opportunity to try their hands at grinding wheat, making tortillas and butter, panning for gold, doing laundry with a washboard, making toys and more. 1-4 p.m. May 20, 720 N. Las Posas Road, Camarillo. Free. 805-482-3660; pvhsonline.org.

UP NORTH

Live Art & Wine Tour: The 2018 Downtown Live Art & Wine Tour invites guests to travel to and from venues on a self-guided tour through downtown Santa Barbara while tasting food and wine from local establishments. Check-in begins at 5:15 p.m. and an end-of-event party will be held from 7:30-9:30 p.m. May 24, both at Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 136 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara. For tickets and information, visit dsbliveartwine2018.nightout.com.

Special Screenings

VENTURA COUNTY

“Foxtrot”: Oxnard Film Society continues its Monday Night Foreign Film Series with the 2018 Israeli drama about a husband and wife in mourning after the loss of their son, who died while serving in the military. In Hebrew with English subtitles. Rated R. 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. May 21, Plaza Stadium 14, 255 West 5th St., Oxnard. $10.75 general admission, $7.50 seniors, $8.25 matinee. 805-798-0830; oxnardfilmsociety.org.

“Age of Consequences”: The Social Concerns Action Committee of Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula presents a screening of the 2016 documentary that investigates how climate change impacts resource scarcity, migration and conflict through the lens of national security and global stability. Following the film, Col. Douglas Jackson, Ret. US Army, will offer comments and facilitate a discussion. 6:30 p.m. May 22, 740 E. Main St., Santa Paula. 805-525-4647; uucsp.org.

Thousand Oaks Photo Presentation: As part of its History Comes Alive series, Conejo Recreation & Park District present longtime local resident Ed Lawrence sharing his photographs of Thousand Oaks as it grew into the city it is today. 2 p.m. May 20, Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. $5. 805-495-6471; crpd.org.

Classes

VENTURA COUNTY

Pottery Classes: Ojai Pottery and Clay School will offer spring classes for throwers and hand builders, with sessions available for all skill levels. Through June 17, 212 Fox St., Ojai. To enroll, email classes@ojaipottery.com.

Country Lovers Western Dance Club: The Country Lovers Western Dance Club will hold a dance featuring a dance lesson and music by DJ Jammin’ Country. 6:45-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Ventura Moose Family Center, 10269 Telephone Road, Ventura. $6 general. 805-456-9067; countrylovers.com.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club: The club holds a weekly dance including live music and ballroom dancing. Waltz, swing, fox trot, tango, salsa and line dancing are featured. Singles and couples are welcome and there are always mixers so that everyone gets to dance. Light refreshments served. Dances are every Monday from 7:30-9:45 p.m., lessons are from 6:45-7:15 p.m., Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura. Dances are $12 general, $10 members. Lessons are $5 couple, $3 single. 805-415-8842 or 805-904-5487; www.poinsettiadancers.org.